Bruises

Brief Version

What are bruises?

The black-and-blue marks we call bruises are caused by
damaged blood vessels. Most of the time, bruises happen
when your child bumps into something or is hit by something.
If your child has bruises that cannot be explained, it's a
good idea to talk with your doctor.

What can I do to take care of my child?

If your child has a bruise:

Put ice on the bruised area for 20 to 30 minutes.

Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain. Don't use
aspirin. That may make it bleed longer.

After 2 days, put a warm washcloth on the area for 10
minutes three times a day. This helps the skin reabsorb
the blood. Bruises go away in about 2 weeks.

If your child has a blood blister:

Do not open the blood blister. If you open it, there is
a higher chance of infection. The blisters will dry up
and peel off in 1 to 2 weeks.

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.